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CHABOTAR
A decade in the making: a presidential assessment
Continued from Page I
Guilfordian, Guilford was heading into certain financial ruin
around the time Chabotar arrived. In fact, Chabotar turned
down the presidency the first time it was offered to him
because he feared that the College was too far gone.
The College was spending 13.5 percent of its endowment
when most other colleges spend only 5 percent. Additionally,
the revised budget had an operating deficit of $3.4 million.
Despite seven attempts in 10 years, Guilford still lacked a
formal strategic plan.
Furthermore, the College's total debt had jumped from
$11.7 million in fiscal year 1995-96 to $29.3 million in fiscal
year 2001-02, according to the report.
The report also said that Guilford's academic program
lacked focus.
"Academic offerings had grown to include so many
different majors and concentrations that, technically each
program averaged less than one faculty member after dividing
the number of programs by full-time equivalent faculty," said
the report.
Campus buildings and grounds were also noticeably
suffering.
"Everywhere we went, we saw peeling paint, chipped
concrete and cracked windows," said Chabotar. 'There
was even 'crime scene tape' in front of the library to warn
pedestrians to stay away because of the danger of falling
debris fiom building columns and the roof."
Cochran told The Guilfordian that buildings and grounds
have changed for the better with Chabotar at ffie helm.
During the last decade, Chabotar let data guide the College
because he believes that "some folks do not let the facts get in
the way of their biases."
This has caused some like Professor of Mathematics Elwood
Parker to question hds management style.
"His reliance on reports and raw numbers is what most
disturbs me," said Parker. 'There are often compelling reasons
why an underrepresented department does not seem to do
well in, let's say, the recent prioritization, and under Kent's
presidency those concerns go unnoted."
Cochran observed that Chabotar's management style is
"I thought I'd be here five years. I
thought that's how long it would take
to right the ship. I fell in love with the
South, the culture, the people and five
years became 11."
Kent Chabotar, president
very hands-on, which differs from that of most administrators
in his position.
"Kent likes to go out with the gardeners and pull the weeds
sometimes," said Cochran. "Sometimes that makes people a
little uncomfortable."
Adrienne Israel, vice president and academic dean, said that
Chabotar has developed and adapted to Guilford over time,
especially in adjusting to the Quaker process and consensus.
"It was overwhelming for Kent to go into meetings with
his ideas 10 years ago," said Israel. "Kent misunderstood
passionate conversations about a given topic to be the end of a
successful idea, and he was mistaken. Kent, in turn, has taught
me how to be a better leader by his example."
Chabotar told The Guilfordian that besides balancing the
budget and fixing the campus, Guilford needed a long-range
strategic plan to ensure its survival.
"The college went from monumental deficits to turning
profits," said Blass. "Buildings and grounds were restored and
beautified over the past decade. Enrollment and the number of
students of color have become more robust.",
The strategic plan measures Guilford's progress with data-
driven indicators.
Among them are criteria such as total funds raised,
percentage of people of color among the faculty and studehte/
student-to-faculty ratios and graduation rates. :
Chabotar knew turning ^e College around wofild t^e
time, but he underestimated just how long he would stay.
"I thought I'd be here five years," said Chabotar. "I thought
that's how long it would take to right the ship. The ship got
righted. I fell in love with the Sou^, the culture, the people,
and five years became 11.
"I also felt a responsibility to the College not to leave until
we were in a good place. A college president should have a
good reason to stay for less than five and more than 10 years.
You better have some things you want to accomplish and not
just be treading water.
"Right now, that includes finishing a capital campai^,
implementing our second strategic plan and working with
faculty and others on principled problem solving, experiential
education, study abroad and offier initiatives important for
students, such as the January Term. After I leave the presidency,
I plan to stay at Guilford as a professor of political science."
Next week. The Guilfordian will assess how Guilford's
finances, fund-raising, diversity, facilities, academics and
strategy compare to other private colleges during Chabotar's
presidency.
Stay tuned.
Senate Update
This Week's ♦
Developments*
Learned about and discussed the upcoming Experiential
Learning Requirement with Curriculum Committee reps.
Had an informational forum about the Guilford Farm.
t Week s ♦
Discerning appropriate implementation of student
scholarships.
Brainstorming action steps to make Founders Hall more
student friendly.
We need to hear your voice! Have an idea? Concern? Great
recipe? It’s important to us.
Questions? Email: senate@guilford.edu or visit
http://guilfordsenate.wordpress.com
Compiled by Tim Leisman, Community Senate President
Greensboro task force for safer clubs
BY JAMIE LUCKHAUS
SwffWteim
On Friday, Feb. 2, around 2:M a.m.,
two men were shot and injured at
Greensboro's Qub Inferno, at 212 S. Elm
St., according to the News and Record.
The 22- and 23-year-old gunshot
victims were taken to the hospital with
non life-threatening injuries. Police gave
no motive for the shooting and believe
neither victim was the intended target.
Shooter Micaiss Oshea Goddard,
22, was arrested and charged with
three counts of assault with a deadly
weapon and one count each of carrying
a concealed weapon and discharging a
firearm within the dty limits, according
to the News and Record. He is now in
jail with a $75,000 bond.
In response to this incident. District
3 City Coundiman Zack Matheny is
leading a three-man task force to come
up with new proposals for ways to
make downtown Greensboro safer.
These proposals will indude new safety
regulations for all businesses that serve
alcohol late at night.
"Business owners, mostly downtown,
met with me a few years ago arid laid out
some ideas on safety and their needs,
Matheny told The Guilfordian. "In
addition, repeatedly, I receive feedback
from dtizens about public safety, again,
mostly regarding downtown and
their fears. The task force was created
recently to make a more formal meeting
in determining future steps."
A meeting will be held at the end of
February to discuss their proposal.
One of the task force's ideas is to
implement a three-strikes rule for
Greensboro businesses.
'There would be a list of major Qass
I offenses," Matheny told the News and
Record. 'The category would include
shootings, stabbings and serious
assaults. They'd have three strikes
before it goes into effect."
After three strikes, the business
would be closed.
Since many Guilford studente spend
their weekends downtown, these new
regulations could have a direct affect on
student safety.
"Businesses have a responsibility to
make every'^ effort to have a safe place for
their patrons, and if they are not doing
that, then should be held responsible,"
said Director of Public Safety Ron
Stowe.
Senior Brittany Moore agrees that
business owners should be held
accountable.
"If you have a business ... and you
know there is going to be alcohol
involved, I feel like you should go the
extra mile to provide security, said
Moore.
The debate over stricter safety
regulations is far from new. Last
Friday's incident merely added to the
push for new rules.
However, this also brings up the
concern that the new regulations will be
too invasive.
"I've been to clubs in other cities and
been searched, which makes me feel
violated," said junior Jodie Geddes.
"Figuring out the balance between
privacy right and community security is
the key," said Vice President for Student
Affairs and Dean of Students Aaron
Fetrow. "How much privacy are you
willing to give up to make sure you are
safe?"
According to the News and Record,
Greensboro business owners have
criticized the proposal, claiming
it is "confusing, overly broad and
unnecessary."
Matheny believes the proposed
regulations will be mutually beneficial
in the end.
"If citizens feel safer because they
feel business owners and our police
department are working together,
then they will patronize more business
thus the businesses increase profits,"
Matheny told The Guilfordian.
"Everybody wins."
City Councilman Zack Matheny encourages students and community members to
share their ideas about club safety.
Go to www.GREENSBORO-NC.GOV or call the city phone at (336) 373-2396.